She proceeded to walk me through her 10 acre pasture, where she had 8-10 horses of various ages, colors, temperaments & training. We would stop near one horse & she would describe it's various attributes and quote me a price.

By the time we had reached the second or third horse in the pasture, we were being followed by a mostly white, Strawberry Roan Appaloosa filly. Each time we stopped to look at & review another horse, she would place herself strategically between us & that other horse!

It got to the point, she was getting to the next horse ahead of us so we'd at least have to push her away so we could see & handle the next horse. By the time we'd tried to ignore her 2-3 times, she started following us & nudging me in the rear with her nose; 'till I would stop & pet & talk to her! She followed us around that pasture for more than an hour. Relentlessly pursuing the attention she was sure she deserved more than all those other horses combined!

Now I had gleaned almost $1,000.00 from all my endeavors (MOST of which were MOSTLY LEGAL!) and was willing to spend up to $800 for the RIGHT horse! Well, after looking over & handling 'most every horse on the place, this little filly was STILL following ME around & nudging me for attention. During all this I had asked Julie a couple of times "What about this little pest? Is SHE for sale?" Julie kinda changed the subject by pointing out 1 or more of the attributes of another horse "More suited to what I was looking for"!
Now, ALL I'd told her was that I was a "GREEN" rider and that I preferred something gentle & well trained. She pointed out the fact that this pesky little horse wasn't even a year old yet & it would be at least a year before I could even THINK about RIDING her!

After more than an hour of this, Julie & I left the pasture (MAKING SURE we latched the gate!)and went up on the front porch of the house; PARTIALLY to get out of the sun, but equally to get away from the pesty little Appaloosa Filly!!

We hadn't been there more than 5 minutes when I felt something warm & fuzzy nuzzling my backside. When I turned around and saw that it was the "PEST" from the pasture & she had managed to open the gate & come looking for more attention, Julie & I both burst into laughter! As if she realized she was the cause of our mirth, and wanting to join in, she curled her upper lip in a "classical horse smile" and nickered as she pushed her head under my arm; forcing me to hold her!

At this point I insisted on knowing if she was for sale or not! Julie hemmed & hawed but got around to explaining "I'm NOT really TRYING to sell her." "I took her in as a trade-in on the sale of another horse."

When I asked again if she was for sale, & if so "How Much", I was dumbfounded and amazed when she said "OH, give me $150.00 and she's yours; BUT she's NOT what you're looking for!"
I responded that it didn't matter I WAS what SHE was looking for!! I GLADLY took out the $150 and asked her to hold the filly till the next day; to which she readily agreed!

I went (WALKED)the 8-10 miles home, stopping along the way to purchase a halter & leadrope for my new horse. After making arrangements to keep her in a neighbor's front yard, I anxioisly awaited sunrise of the following day! I got a ride MOST of the way to Julie's ranch the next morning and practically ran the remaining distance! I was more anxious and excited than a child on Christmas morning!

I was pleasantly surprised upon my arrival to find my (then unnamed) new horse awaiting my arrival at the gate! We greeted each other like long seperated friends! Since she had never been anywhere other than the ranch where she was born & then trailered to Julie's place Julie was concerned how she would act on our 8-10 mile trek home! I assured Julie that I had discussed the matter with the filly & she had agreed to behave herself in exchange for my undying love, devotion & companionship! Julie's response was a look that said clearly